POST-KATRINA - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Oct 6, 2005

POST-KATRINA

Date: Oct 6, 2005

I have suggested this to my colleagues long before Katrina. Given the condition of the Coast campus, it makes even more sense. A campus at the Woolmarket interchange would allow quick access for students from Mobile to Slidell. It also would provide a goodly portion of the funds needed to rebuild. I am not sure how it can be handled, will the College Board have to initiate it, would the Legislature and the Governor have to be involved? I hope this recommendation gets serious consideration. A modern campus within a short commute for Coast students would also reduce the need for interactive video classes and online classes. This would increase the quality of the education product for students.

Date: Oct 7, 2005

I have long maintained that the Gulf Park Campus was simply in a poor location to serve the entire Gulf Coast. This is a prime opportunity for a "meaningful" rebuilding effort. Coastliner & Cossack mention the Woolmarket exit. For years, I've said Exit 50 (Ocean Springs), but the concept is the same.

With gasoline soon to be a major limiting factor for commuting students, a more central location would greatly expand educational opportunities on the Coast.

Moreover, Coast 21 surveys in the late '90s repeatedly found that engineering was near the top of the list of most-desired programs for a university on the coast. That's engineering, not "engineering technology." This would require the involvement of institutions that are permitted by IHL to offer engineering majors. And that in turn does suggest a Universities Center.

During the original "community college lawsuit" flap, there was a fact-finding trip to the Universities Center in the Houston area. This is done in conjunction with TAMU, Houston, Rice & North-Harris Montgomery CC. And the reports I heard from those who made the visit were that it can work.

The real problem, however, is that the surveys I saw also showed that Coast residents want a university with sports teams. (They recognize that as just another tourist attraction.) And a Universities Center wouldn't offer that "extra."

Date: Oct 7, 2005

Invictus wrote:

Coast residents want a university with sports teams. (They recognize that as just another tourist attraction.) And a Universities Center wouldn't offer that "extra."

If Coast residents want a big time football team let them adopt the New Orleans Saints.

Date: Oct 7, 2005

I thought San Antonio already adopted the Saints.

Date: Oct 7, 2005

Beef Wellington wrote:

If Coast residents want a big time football team let them adopt the New Orleans Saints.

This is the first time I have seen the words "big time football" and the "Saints" in the same sentence.

Date: Oct 7, 2005

I was told by a credible source (apologies if this is already on another thread, I just got here) but was told that the engineering report on Gulf Park reveals much worse damage than originally thought. Any comments?

Date: Oct 7, 2005

Little old lady wrote:

I was told by a credible source (apologies if this is already on another thread, I just got here) but was told that the engineering report on Gulf Park reveals much worse damage than originally thought. Any comments?

I heard the same thing, but I don't know anything for certain. All I know is that the new IHL commish, Tom Meredith, is coming with SFT to visit what's left of the campus and to also see the makeshift operation in the abandoned hospital on Monday (the 10th).

Date: Oct 7, 2005

I had heard from Tom Landsford that the preliminary assesment listed Lloyd and Hardy hall as very badly damaged but restorable; Library and AEC as sound, but needing major repairs. Admin. building was a total loss and would have to come down. Now, this was a couple of weeks ago and a more thorough assesment may reveal more damage, but that's what I know.

Date: Oct 7, 2005

Oh, ome more thing; It was Ken Malone who purchased the insurance policy for the coast campus. Timely, indeed!

Date: Oct 8, 2005

For thirty years many USM administrators and H'burg area powerbrokers have considered the Gulf Coast Campus as an albatross around the neck of the parent campus. It was originally a a challenge for growth of USM, became a nuisance, and quickly developed into a threat for the parent campus. Only the Fleming administration gave attention to the real potential of the Gulf Coast and he was squashed primarily due to his support of the Gulf Coast.

Now is the perfect time for USM to divorce itself from Gulf Coast operations. Turn it back over to the College Board. USM Gulf Coast is severely injured. USM Gulf Coast is in the hospital in more ways than one. It is time for the rehabilitation of both the H'burg and Gulf Coast campuses and having someone else look after the coast "patient" would help the parent campus recover more quickly.

USM H has it's own challenges and needs to be cut free from the responsibility of the Gulf Coast.

The College Board needs to evaluate what the best approach should be for higher education on the Gulf Coast. I have proposed, as others have, that a Universities Center concept be implemented on the Coast. This would give USM H an opportunity to rebuild and would allow a beginning for a rebirth of higher education on the Gulf Coast in a new atmosphere.

Many of us have had to reevaluste what we do in our personal lives Post-Katrina. It's time for public institutions to do the same.

A new approach for higher education on the Gulf Coast was a good idea Pre-Katrna. It is now a necessity.

Date: Oct 8, 2005

At the Faculty Senate meeting yesterday, Prersident Thames mentioned that the location of the Golf Coast campus was being discussed. When asked if the plan was to rebuild at the present location or somewhere else, Thames said there were discussions of having a centrally located campus near I-10 instead of being spread out all along the coast. Faculty from Stennis reminded him of the large operation located there, and SFT said not to worry the Stennis operation was too large for anyone to forget.